The Corner: Recent Episodes
WSTS Radio
The Corner is a topical show that focuses on current news, events, hot topics and issues relevant to black & latino communities in Chicago and across the nation. All episodes are also available on Mix Cloud as a permanent source to access archived episodes.
The hosts of The Corner is Darling "Nikki" and DJ "Rae Rae" Chardonnay. They are two Chicago natives whose passions cross into community programming, youth advocacy, activism, community engagement, music and performing arts.
The creation of this show serves as the central program and the face of WSTS Radio.
Please follow "The Corner" at www.wstsradio.com, www.facebook.com/wstsradio & mixcloud.com/wstsradio
This week on "the Corner", Nikki, Rae and Nya invites self published author Jarrett Robinson on as a special guest. They set down with Jarrett to talk about his new book "Chicago City Blues: Vol. 1," the inspiration for writing the book and experiences living in the city.
Nikki, Rae Rae, and Nya reflects on Ferguson and movement building within black communities.
This week on The Corner, Rae and Nya talk with Sam Lewis of the Elastic Arts Foundation, independent cultural hub for local and live music, performance and art.
They also began a developing conversation around the use of excessive force and murders involving police officers.
The Corner is back with more Hot Topics and a list of guests, topics, and randomness every Saturday of each week.
Today we open the season with a list of hot topics that have made news headlines for the past month or two. We also provide status updates on what the host Nikki, Rae and Nya have been done during the off-season.
Nikki, Rae & Nya welcome Jumaane Taylor, professional Tap Dancer, to share a few details about his upcoming show "Supreme Love" how he found tap dance and much more.
They also discuss their thought on the Chicago Tribune op-ed piece written by fifth grade students of the Bradwell School of Excellence who discussed the misconceptions of Chicago, based on media representation.
This week on "The Corner", Nikki, Rae and Nya covers hot topics on the #JadaPose and the rape that went viral. Also the murder of Eric Garner by NYPD. Our special guest this week is former WSTS personality La Keisha Leek who will discuss her upcoming exhibit "How To Make A Hood."
As a special treat we highlight a song by Freddy Mandel (IG: @_KingFredrick). The song is titled "Jada Song." It will be aired during the break.
James T. Green (digital) artist, joins Nikki, Rae, & Nya on "The Corner" to discuss the use and consumption of technologies in communities of color. As a part of this discussion they reflect on the (1) evolution of digital technology and the internet, (2) capitalism and consumerism, as well as (3) technology apartheid and the privilege of access.
This week on "The Corner" is another segment dedicated to current topics in Black culture, Hip Hop and general news. This segment specifically raises questions about race, media representation and politics of black hair in Hip Hop culture..
Nikki, Rae and Nya addresses these general topics through discussion around:
1) Justin Bieber and blackness
2) Mona Scott Young and the sorority reality show petition
3) Comments on Blue Ivy and her hair.
among other things.
On June 13, 2014 the "Forum As Form" exhibit curated by artist Andres Hernandez opened at the Arts Incubator here in Chicago's Washington Park neighborhood. In support of this event Nikki, Rae and Nya Freeman covers the event and the discussion to follow led by artist, community members and scholars at the Arts Incubator in Washington Park.
Marshawn Feltus, founder and instructor of ACT Yoga (located on the westside of Chicago), joins Nikki & Rae to discuss the power yoga has in transforming peoples lives. In discussing his practice, he candidly shares his experience of learning and teaching yoga in prison along with his journey to bringing yoga to westside communities in Chicago.
[UPDATE ALERT] This is an updated version of "State of the City - Gentrification." The previous upload contained minor errors.
Special guest and radio personality Mario Smith, joins Nikki & Rae for an entire segment dedicated to discussing the cause and effects of gentrification currently. In this conversation they focus specifically on how displacement, closing of schools and violence in the city are all related to the changes happening within black and brown communities throughout the entire city.
How do we think about the spaces that we live in and inhabit?
On Episode 14 of "The Corner" Nikki & Rae Rae sits with 2014 University of Chicago, Artist & Public Life residence Andres Hernandez to explore central questions around space and community. We discuss and process the ideas of how do we occupy and think about space in Black and Brown communities. We are also discussing his work, broadly, in connection to his career as an arts administration, community programmer, architect, and teaching artist.
Emerging Hip Hop artist Nya Freeman & film/music video director Melvin Boahene visits "The Corner" to talk about the making of Nya's first video "I Hate Monday's." They also share their thoughts on the state of Chicago youth, Hip Hop and Nicki Minaj new track "Chiraq" which features Lil Herb (another emerging Chicago artist)
This week on "TheCorner," music enthusiast and Chicago native, Johari Palacio aka Perpetual Rebel joins Nikki and Rae to talk music, artist management, sound curating, upcoming events and more.
Today on "The Corner," Nikki & Rae covers recent news happening in the city. They offer:
1) Brief reflections of past episodes on "The Corner"
2) A brief report back for the event Octavia Butler: An Emergent Strategy w/ Adrienne Brown that took place in Chicago on April 1st.
3) Their perspective and thoughts on the article: "City Prepares for Massive Fire Sale of Dozens of Closed Schools" that was posted on the "Curbed Chicago" site.
Link: http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2014/04/02/city-prepares-for-massive-fire-sale-of-dozens-of-closed-schools.php
and
4) Thoughts on the climate of Chicago regarding violence in the city as the summer approaches.
Today on "The Corner" archivist, scholar and visual artist Skyla S. Hearn talks with Nikki & Rae about her efforts to archive histories and events on the Westside of Chicago through collecting images and stories from residents in the community.
The conversation touches on:
1. The field of archiving and collecting images.
2. The history, importance and significance of engaging westside communities in Chicago.
3. Along with the importance of documenting our histories through storytelling, photography and other mediums
along with so much more.
Ashley Finigan joins Nikki & Rae on The Corner to discuss her travel experience to South Africa and the legacy of Nelson Mandela along with the rich history and liberation struggle of the country.
Special guest Michael Johnson joins Nikki & Rae on "The Corner" to talk about the the legacy of Mayor Chokwe Lumumba & the case of Marissa Alexander.
With very little coverage on the passing of Lumumba, who was mayor of Jackson, MS and the current case of Jacksonville, Florida resident Marissa Alexander, we felt that it is necessary to dedicate time to honor and express our thoughts and concerns. While raising questions for the community to think about.
Michael, who is an artist, activist, youth advocate, community leader and member of the BYP100 offers great insight and dialog on:
- "Stand Your Ground" law.
- How Race & Gender is played out in the Marissa Alexander Case
- The importance of having a person like Chokwe Lumumba and what his legacy means to our community.
and so much more.
The celebration for the premiere of the second installment of Black Radical Imagination continues with interviews from filmmakers Jabari Zuberi and Temitope Oladayo Olutunmbi.
Nikki & Rae speak to them about their contribution to Black Radical Imagination, the making of their film Bliss, their careers as visual artist and the importance of innovative films covering topics of the Black World.
You can see a trailer of the film by clicking on the link provided: https://vimeo.com/83902547
Nikki and Rae sit down with filmmaker, writer, director Amir George of "Black Radical Imagination" curated film series; a touring program of visual shorts. They also address the controversial outcome of the Jordan Davis murder trial.
Join Nikki, Rae Rae and a guest host as they explore work of the late, great J Dilla.
Chicago MC, Phenom also joins the conversation as we dive into a short discussion on Hip Hop music and culture in Chicago.
The Corner first Talk to Me Segment. On today's show we are responding to the Kendrick Lamar vs Macklemore. As well as the controversy and emotions sparked by Jay-Z lyrics to Beyonce "Drunk In Love" record where he reference Ike Turner.
Please give us your feedback to these two topics raised by Nikki & Rae Rae.
- Visit the The Corner webpage on WSTS Radio website (wstsradio.com)
OR
- E-mail us: wstsradio@gmail.com
On this weeks Hot Topics, #TheCorner focuses on the image and representation of black men in America. How their presence is still a treat to America.
The Corner's feature interview is with Anthony J. Sturdivant (writer, producer, filmmaker, youth advocate) creator of the #TB4YS "Think Before You Shoot an anti-violence film series that focuses on the violence in Chicago while sending a message to young people to literally "Think Before You Shoot."
You can check out this film series on the WSTS Radio website at www.wstsradio.com
In honor of MLK Day episode 2 of the corner focuses on principles and tools for engaging in our community and getting involved.
This episode covers:
1) Weekly Hot Topics
2) Reflections on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
3) Roundtable with local activist/artist covering topics of principles and tools for getting involved in your community.
"The Corner" debut show introduces hosts Nikki & Rae Rae. In this episode they introduce several of ideas, future goals and expectation for the program and development of WSTS Radio. Along with the weekly hot topics and current news.
Nikki and Rae Rae also sits down for an interview with Micah Sinkald, a phd student currently conducting interviews and fieldwork on the culture and history of House Music in Chicago.
In between time, you can expect to hear mixes from co-host Rae who is also a DJ.